FABLE Poem: The Fox and the Jackdaws, by Justine Defever

Enigmatic and dazzling,
the fox lullabies on flagstone streets.
Acidic whispers, crooning screams,
sharing tales to feathered devotees.

Fledglings sway under a glowing moon,
crying their thankful racket.
His mouth makes sense of midnight calamity
helping them feel less alone.

Idyllic, yet idolized, the young adored in haste.
From windswept seeds across the land,
years of allegations bloomed—
He was found with feathers between his teeth.

Huntsmen brandish torches outside the den
and hear his insincere apologetic howls—
It’s in my nature!
devoid of responsibility.

Trust snuffed out in daughters.
Grief assigned to mothers.
He is disgraced and exiled,
marked only with scorched whiskers.

Other creatures might forgive,
but young jackdaws don’t forget
the tongue that warbled twilight virtues
then licked the hollow bones clean.